Today I found a dead white squirrel in the road (in NC). It had been killed fairly recently, so I brought it home and skinned it. I have never done anything like this before. I skinned & scraped it as good as I could, and have covered it in a thick layer of salt. I would like to tan it so that it will be a soft squirrel skin (isn't that what has to be done? otherwise, it will just dry out stiff?). If I get a small mammal tanning kit, how soon do I need to do it and what should I do with the skin in the meantime? I am going on vacation in 2 days and am not sure what to do. Any advice?
Thanks,
Jessica
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I would wash the salt off, towel dry the skin, place it in an old sock then in an airtight ziploc plastic bag and freeze it. That is the best place for it to be until you get home and research what you want to do and what you need to purchase for whatever you decide to do with it. It will be safe in the freezer for many months or longer.
Kindest Regards
Jessica, I would shake off the 1st salt and resalt heavily-even pack it in salt and let it stay there till you return. The salt will keep it fine for even months. Then when you get ready, pickle and tan the skin. At this point any spoilage that may have occured has happened. Freezing thawing and resalting only streses the skin unnecessarily. There is always more than one way in taxidermy--enjoy, Aaron H.